Posts Tagged ‘skin cancer’

Does Smoking Increase the Risk of Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

In a recent study published in Cancer Causes Control researchers concluded that women with non-melanoma skin cancers were more likely to have smoked cigarettes than women without skin cancer. In the study researchers evaluated the relationship between cigarette smoking and non-melanoma skin cancers including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Smoking histories were compared between subjects diagnosed with BCC and/or SCC and controls who were screened for skin cancer but were not diagnosed nor had a history of skin cancer.
There were 689 subjects (383 with skin cancer and 315 controls and 355 men and 343 women and all were white) in the study and questions were asked about years of smoking, how many cigarettes daily, and when those who once smoked had quit as part of the assessment. Results were stratified by sex and showed that smoking was associated with non-melanoma skin cancer overall, and that the risk increased by number of cigarettes daily, total years of smoking and pack-year smoked. Associations were especially strong for SCC in women which was more than two times as likely in those who had smoked for 20 or more years compared to the controls.
Among men there were positive associations between smoking and BCC and SCC but none were statistically significant. “However, among women, smoking was not associated with BCC, while highly statistically significant associations were observed for SCC. Women with SCC were almost two times more likely to have smoked 20 years or more. Men who had BCC were significantly more likely to have smoked for at least 20 years than men without cancer. A;though the study did find an association between smoking and skin cancer it did not prove a cause and effect. More research is needed.

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Enjoy Your Coffee Caffeine On Your Skin- It May Prevent Some Skin Cancers

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

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A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science discussed the mechanism of how caffeine might protect against certain skin cancers and that could lead to better sunscreens. Suspecting that the response of a gene called ATR that is suppressed when caffeine molecules are around might be involved in the protective role of caffeine, researchers created genetically modified mice whose ATR genes were deficient and then exposed them to ultraviolet light until they developed skin cancer. After 19 weeks of IV exposure, they found that these mice developed 69% fewer tumors than those that had fully functioning ATR genes. In addition, the tumors in the genetically modified mice developed three weeks later than in the control group. After 34 weeks of UV exposure, all mice developed tumors, mainly a non-melanoma type called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). They concluded ” All of this suggests the possibility that caffeine, possibly (ap0plied to the skin)), would have an inhibitory effect on sunlight induced skin cancer.”

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Skin Cancer Risk and Vitamin D Levels

Friday, August 26th, 2011

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A new study reported online in the Archives of Dermatology concluded that as individual’s vitamin D level increases their risk for nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) also seems to increase but factors such as untraviolet (UV) radiation exposure may complicate this relationship. The study was carried out among 3,223 white subjects in a health maintenance organization (HMO) with a high probability of developing NMSC, Between January 1997 and December 2001, subjects were assessed for levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (an indication of vitamin D levels), and parathyroid hormones, creatinine and calcium levels. Over 2/3 of the participants (n=2,257) seemed to have insufficient levels of vitamin D and the diagnoses of NMSC were made in 240 individuals including 49 with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 163 individuals with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and 28 individuals with both (all forms of NMSC). Individuals who were not deficient in vitamin D seemed to have an increase risk of developing NMSC and although this relationship was positive it was not statistically significant for tumors developing on body parts routinely exposed to UV radiation suh as arms and legs. More research is needed in this area of study.

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High Intake of Dietary Phosphate May Be Associated with Skin Cancer

Friday, April 2nd, 2010

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Results of a study published in Cancer Prevention Research concluded that a high dietary intake of phosphate promotes tumor formation in an animal model of skin cancer.

Researchers applied a carcinogen found in cigarette smoke (dimethylbenzanthracene) to the skin of mice and then applied another chemical that stimulates cell growth. Mice were then fed a high phosphate diet (1.2% by weight) or a low phosphate diet
(0.2 percent). Those fed a high phosphate diet had 50 percent more skin papilla (initial stage of skin cancer development) compared to those on a low phosphate diet.

Although phosphate is a very important nutrient its intake has
increase dramatically over the past 30 years according public health researchers who say it has been added as an additive in processed foods such as meats, baked goods and soft drinks.

The researchers estimated a human dietary equivalent to the high phosphate diet of the mice would be 1,800 milligrams daily and that is a level many humans match or exceed. The human equivalent of a low phosphate diet would be 500 milligrams.

In 2006 the Department of Agriculture said the average phosphate intake of American male and females over two years of age was 1,334mg and the recommended daily allowance was 1,250 for pre-teens and teenagers and 700mg for adults.

The authors said that a low phosphate diet may help prevent cancer based upon these results obtained with a mouse model.

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Melanoma-A Serious Skin Cancer

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

picture-0611One of the guest interviewed this past week was a 33 year cancer survivor who had been given 3 months to live when diagnosed with melanoma. Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer and usually can be avoided by reducing exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight. When diagnosed in an early stage before metastasis it can often be successfully treated,

Traditionally surgery is used to remove cancerous tissue and in early stages may be all that is needed. Radiation and chemotherapy are not typically used except in advanced stages where there is metastasis.

There are some natural products that have shown promise when used for melanoma. Reducing sun exposure is crucial. A diet high in fruit and vegetables and whole grains is recommended. Studies have shown that vitamin D may suppress melanoma cell proliferation by up to 50% (good sources are dark green leafty vegetables and cold water fish) ; quercetin inhibits the invasiveness of melanoma cells in vivo; vitamin C and essential fatty acids inhibit the growth of melanoma cells in culture; mistletoe suppresses melanoma cell growth in vivo; genistein in soy products (legumes and soy beans) inhibits the growth of melanoma cells as effectively as chermotherapy drugs adriamycin and etoposide. The National Cancer Institute researchers also reported some success using a vaccine.

Research this month reported that starting to use of the tanning bed before age 30 increases the risk of melanoma by 75%. This same report stated that all types of ionizing radiation are carcinogens to humans and include: radon gas in homes cause lung cancer, plutonium and decaying products, radium and decaying products affecting the bones of medical patients, phosphorus 32 and its decaying products causing acute leukemia in medical patients, and radioiodines affecting the thyroids in children and adolescent survivors of nuclear reactor accidents.

New research is being reported daily so if you are in need of care for this type cancer ask you physician about the current natural products being used.

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